How Much Does It Cost to Install an Auxiliary Port in a Car?
Photo by Perry Fel on Unsplash
A lot of the cars we talk about are built for the digital age. Even basic trims on today’s vehicles come equipped with the latest infotainment systems, designed for wireless connectivity and functionality. And that’s great, if you’re in the market for a new vehicle that doubles as a smartphone. But what if you just want to be able to listen to your favorite playlists without investing in a new vehicle, or going through the trouble of making a mixtape?
Installing an auxiliary port is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your older vehicle and make it compatible with your favorite device. So the next question you probably have is, how much does it cost to install an auxiliary port in a car? We’ll tell you everything you need to know in this article.
How Much Does It Cost to Install an Auxiliary Port in a Car? Some Things to Think About
You have a few options to consider when installing aux capability in your vehicle, and all of these come with different costs and capabilities.
If you’re really pressed for cash and not committed to keeping your current vehicle, you might consider simply purchasing a Bluetooth adapter for your vehicle. It plugs into your cigarette lighter, and transmits audio from your phone via bluetooth onto an empty radio channel.
Some products even have USB ports so you can charge your device in the meantime. And they’re cheap, too, costing around $15 on average. The real downside is that you will have to fiddle around with it if the FM channel you’ve been using suddenly comes alive.
The most expensive and most labor intensive option is to replace your outdated audio system with a newer one. Modern car stereo systems can be found with or without CD compatibility, and all of them have radio capabilities and an auxiliary port. The part itself is relatively cheap, costing around $79.99 at the high end. But unless you have the skills and equipment necessary, you will likely end up spending closer to $200 on a professional installation.
You can keep your old stereo, complete with a surprisingly relevant tape deck (they’re making a comeback!) if you decide to go for just the aux port. It’s a versatile little feature that can fit right in in any vehicle if done correctly.
Parts are cheap, and DIY install is easy with a little bit of know-how and the right tools. In the next two sections, we’re going to dive a little deeper into the cost of installing an auxiliary port in your car.
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How Much Does It Cost to Install an Auxiliary Port in a Car Yourself?
Let’s start by talking about the tools and materials you will need to make it happen.
A do-it-yourself aux port installation project requires the following:
- An aux port ($8 - 55)
- Wire strippers ($5 - 22)
- A soldering iron ($10 - 42)
- Solder ($12 - 50)
- A hot glue gun($3-25)
- A power drill ($20 - 130)
- And drill bits ($15 - 42)
All told, the materials and tools will set you back between $75 and $400. But if you already have the tools, the entire operation will only cost you around 20 bucks in materials.
The other cost to consider: if you’re gearing up to install your own aux port is time and effort. Most crafty car owners say that installing an aux cable is one of the simplest, easiest mods you can make to an older vehicle.
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However, that also depends on whether you have any prior experience, and into what make and model of vehicle you’re installing your aux port into. A poorly done job in a luxury vehicle can ramp up the cost of your project in damages alone. So if you’re looking to install an aux port into a vintage luxury vehicle with a bespoke wooden headboard - please skip to the next section.
The first thing you’ll want to do in the install process is to remove or expose your current audio system and check for RCA or CD changer ports on the back. If you find one, you can purchase an adapter for around $25 and save yourself a whole lot of soldering. If not, you will need to remove the stereo and figure out how to wire in your aux port yourself. (This step is for experienced DIY-ers only.)
Once you have the wiring figured out, you should decide where you want your aux port to live. Try to find an aesthetically pleasing space that fits the design of your dash and doesn’t interrupt any other functions you’d like to keep.
Using your drill, you will create a hole in which your port can be placed. Finish up by using a small amount of hot glue or other transparent adhesive to gold your new port in place. Next, enjoy a job well done with some funky tunes and a road trip!
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How Much Does It Cost to Install an Auxiliary Port in a Car with a Professional?
If you’re busy, inexperienced, or just not the crafty type, getting a professional to install your auxiliary port for you is a fine option that won’t break the bank. Many body shops have interior mechanics on-staff who can install an aux port for about the cost of the materials you would need to purchase if you were doing it yourself. You can also search your locale for businesses that specialize in vehicle infotainment systems.
One specialist car audio shop in Portland, Oregon charges for the cost of parts, a minimum $30 labor fee, and 10% for shop materials such as wires, bolts, and adhesives. If you were getting the most basic aux port installed with this company, you could end up paying only $50 for a fast and easy install.
A more complex job involving panel removal and reinstallment might cost a little more, up to $100 per hour of labor, but the risk to your vehicle would be minimal, and absolutely worth it.
Another inexpensive option is to go to your local Best Buy and take advantage of their installation services. The Geek Squad charges $59.99 for install labor - a steal in both time and money. All you have to do is buy the hardware you want, and hand it off to the pro.
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